Thorbjørn Jagland: European Union is Council of Europe’s most important institutional partner

Secretary General met Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission, on 19 October in Brussels, during his first official mission since his election. The meeting focused on the review of the partnership between the two institutions, following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2007, which recognised the Council of Europe as ’’the benchmark for human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Europe.’’ ’’I am committed to develop further our co-operation with the European Commission, in order to ensure a common European legal space and a coherent system of human rights’ protection, respect for parliamentary democracy, and the rule of law throughout the entire European continent,’’ Jagland said.